Chair Exercising Device

ABSTRACT

A chair exercise device is an apparatus used enabling a user to perform resistance exercises using a chair, especially an office chair. The apparatus is also configured to collapse easily to facilitate transportation. The apparatus includes an anchoring strap, at least one securing strap, and at least one resistance band. The anchoring strap relates to a flexible connector which enables the user to join the apparatus to a leg or support of a chair. The chosen chair leg becomes the primary support against which the user pulls during exercise. The at least one securing strap is a unit utilized to connect the apparatus to the user&#39;s leg, wrist, hand, or other area before exercise. The at least one resistance band relates to a flexible elastic band, tube, or otherwise shaped mechanism capable of holding and transmitting cyclical tensile spring forces from the chosen chair leg to the user during exercise.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/788,086 filed on Jan. 3, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an exercise tool. Morespecifically, the present invention is a chair exercising device thatutilizes a user's weight in combination with the structure provided by achair, particularly an office chair, to enable the user to exercisetheir legs and arms while seated or while standing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thanks in large part to various technological advances in computers andwireless communications, the sedentary lifestyle has become the norm formany daily commuters and workers. While this enables exponentialtechnological growth and the sustenance of an ever-hungry internationaleconomy, the detrimental effects of living in such a way arewell-researched and the negative health outcomes are now commonknowledge. Long hours spent in front of a work desk results in a widevariety of physical and mental health disorders, especially when such alifestyle is not balanced by an equal workout or exercise regimen. Longhours seated result in the generation of tight hip flexors and softabdominal muscles, as well as decreased circulatory and respiratoryfunction. Such untreated physical disfunction results in decreasedmental performance, including shorter attention spans, memory, andreduced focus, as well as increased anxiety and overall reduced qualityof life.

Unfortunately, in many modern careers, such negative outcomes are anunavoidable aspect of being employed. Too many jobs start early and endlate, leaving no time for the employed to exercise their bodies. Suchemployees may feel doomed to a lifetime of stiff, underworked musclesand weak fascia, not to mention the wide array of health effectsstemming from there. What is needed is a device that can allow adeskbound worker to exercise without devoting a significant amount oftime outside of office hours, thus improving the user's mental andphysical condition without sacrificing their ability to perform theirjob. Further desirable is a device which is especially adapted toprovide variable resistance stimulus to the user's arms and legs, thusimproving circulation and daily activity.

The present invention addresses these concerns. The chair exercisingdevice uses resistance bands to provide tension. A series of strapsattached to the wrists or ankles of the user allow for engagement ofupper and lower body muscle groups while the user is at work and anytimethere is an opportunity to sit for a period of time. Alternatively, handgrips may be utilized to provide easier access and variation ofstimulus, thus reducing cyclical muscular fatigue occurring due toexcessive isolation-focused exercises. The mechanism is optimized toattach easily to an office chair, especially a swiveling office chairwith a primary weight support; however, any chair or seating apparatusmay engage with the primary strap. The resistance tube or tubes vary inthickness and length, thus enabling modular control over the resistancegenerated by the present invention. A series of recommended exercisesare provided to help guide the user during early usage. The straps andbands utilized by the present invention are easy to assemble and remove,thus improving portability and facilitating travel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front-left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left view of the anchoring strap for the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the resistance band for the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the handle for the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention with a securing strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a chair exercise device that is used to enablea user to perform resistance exercises using a chair, especially anoffice chair. The present invention is also configured to collapseeasily to facilitate transportation. The present invention comprises ananchoring strap 1, at least one securing strap 5, and at least oneresistance band 11, as shown in FIG. 1. The anchoring strap 1 relates toa flexible connector which enables the user to join the presentinvention to a leg or support of a chair. The chosen chair leg becomesthe primary support against which the user pulls during exercise. The atleast one securing strap 5 is a unit utilized to connect the presentinvention to the user's leg, wrist, hand, or other area before exercise.The at least one resistance band 11 relates to a flexible elastic band,tube, or otherwise shaped mechanism capable of holding and transmittingcyclical tensile spring forces.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows thepresent invention to efficiently and effectively perform a variety ofresistance exercises in an office environment. The anchoring strap 1comprises a fixed strap body 2 and at least one fixed eyelet 3, as shownin FIG. 2. The fixed strap body 2 is the structural body of theanchoring strap 1. The at least one fixed eyelet 3 is a ring throughwhich the anchoring strap 1 may join or connect the at least oneresistance band 11. Moreover, the at least one securing strap 5comprises a free strap body 6 and a free eyelet 7. The free strap body 6is the structural body of the at least one securing strap 5. The freeeyelet 7 is a ring through which the at least one securing strap 5 mayconnect to the at least one resistance band 11. In addition, the atleast one resistance band 11 comprises a band body 12, a proximal end13, a distal end 14, a first carabiner 15, and a second carabiner 16.The band body 12 is the structural body of the at least one resistanceband 11. The proximal end 13 is a terminally positioned section of theband body 12. Similarly, the distal end 14 is a terminally positionedsection of the band body 12, located opposite the proximal end 13. Thefirst carabiner 15 is a hook with a spring-loaded latch that enablesconnection of the at least one resistance band 11 to the fixed strapbody 2. Likewise, the second carabiner 16 is another hook with aspring-loaded latch that allows for connection to the free strap body 6.

These components interact in order to provide the present invention withthe desired exercise resistance capabilities. Thus, the at least onefixed eyelet 3 is laterally connected to the fixed strap body 2. In thisway, the at least one fixed eyelet 3 is engaged with the anchoring strap1, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby providing the structure for the at leastone resistance band 11 to connect. The free eyelet 7 is laterallyconnected to the free strap body 6. In this way, forces pulling againstthe free strap body 6 can transfer through the free eyelet 7. Theproximal end 13 and the distal end 14 are positioned opposite to eachother along the band body 12. This arrangement enables subsequentpositioning of the first carabiner 15 and the second carabiner 16. Theproximal end 13 is coupled to the at least one fixed eyelet 3 by thefirst carabiner 15. This connection allows the first carabiner 15 toshift and swivel within translational position relative to the at leastone fixed eyelet 3. Simultaneously, the distal end 14 is coupled to thefree eyelet 7 by the second carabiner 16. Such an arrangement allowsmotion of the at least one resistance band 11 to meet tensile forcesfrom the at least one resistance band 11 pulling against the anchoringstrap 1.

While such an arrangement theoretically provides a user with a preciseamount of resistance, it may be further desirable for the user to havemodular control over the amount of tensile force against which the useris pulling. To achieve this effect, the at least one resistance band 11,as shown in FIG. 4, is a plurality of resistance bands. This arrangementenables the user to add or remove any of the plurality of resistancebands. Further, the band body 12 of each of the plurality of resistancebands is configured to be a corresponding resistance from anincrementing series of elastic resistances. In this way, the user maycontrol the amount of resistive force provided by the present inventionwhile performing an exercise or exercise session. In an exemplaryembodiment, the user may wish for an easy indication of the resistivespring forces being used. To achieve this, the band body 12 of each ofthe plurality of resistance bands is chromatically configured tovisually identify each resistance from the incrementing series ofelastic resistances. Such an arrangement facilitates determination of aspecific elastically resistive band. For example, a yellow-colored bandbody has a 5-pound resistance, a green-colored band body has a 10-poundresistance, a red-colored band body has a 15-pound resistance, ablue-colored band body has a 20-pound resistance, and a black-coloredband body has a 25-pound resistance.

It may further be advantageous for the user to adjust the elasticresistance by adding and removing elastic bands from the plurality ofresistance bands with the knowledge that each band is the sameresistance. To this end, the at least one resistance band 11, as shownin FIG. 4, is a plurality of resistance bands. This allows the user toadd or remove any of the plurality of resistance bands. The band body 12of each of the plurality of resistance bands is configured to be asingle elastic resistance. This arrangement enables the user to adjustthe number of resistance bands to achieve the single elastic resistance.For example, the band body of each of the plurality of resistance bandsmay have a 5-pound resistance.

The user may wish to exercise multiple body parts at the same time, orin an alternating pattern. To allow for such exercise patterns, the atleast one fixed eyelet 3 is a plurality of fixed eyelets. If the atleast one resistance band 11 is a plurality of resistance bands, theplurality of fixed eyelets would provide multiple connection pointsalong the anchoring strap 1 for the first carabiner 15 of each of theplurality of resistance bands. The plurality of fixed eyelets ispositioned offset from each other. In this way, the first carabiner 15connects to the relevant fixed eyelet of the plurality of fixed eyelets,thus providing different resistance origins for the at least oneresistance band 11.

The anchoring strap 1 fixes to itself in order to allow the presentinvention to attach to a chair. To achieve this, the anchoring strap 1further comprises a fixed fastener 4, as shown in FIG. 4. The fixedfastener 4 is a securing mechanism that restrains the anchoring strap 1around a leg or structural beam of a chair. The fixed fastener 4 isoperatively integrated into the fixed strap body 2, wherein the fixedfastener 4 is used to secure the fixed strap body 2 into a loopedconfiguration. Thus, the fixed fastener 4 allows the fixed strap body 2to secure the anchoring strap 1 in place during a variety of resistanceexercises. In an exemplary embodiment, the fixed fastener 4 is ahook-and-loop fastener. This arrangement allows for easy and secureaddition and removal of the fixed strap body 2 to and from a chair.

Under many circumstances, the user may wish to perform exercises whichrequire or benefit from the ability of the user to grasp the presentinvention to train a specific muscular group. To this end, the at leastone securing strap 5 further comprises a tubular handle 8, as shown inFIG. 5. The tubular handle 8 is a grasping device that provides an outerlateral surface for the user to grasp while exercising. The free strapbody 6 is configured into a looped configuration, which provides themounting structure necessary to enable support of the tubular handle 8.The free strap body 6 traverses through the tubular handle 8. Thus, thefree strap body 6 retains the tubular handle 8 in position andsimultaneously allows the tubular handle 8 to control the position ofthe free strap body 6. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular handle 8may not be comfortable for a user during various exercises. Toaccommodate for such an inconvenience, the at least one securing strap 5further comprises a gripping sleeve 9. The gripping sleeve 9 is apreferably viscoelastic polymeric material capable of conforming to theuser's hand during use. The gripping sleeve 9 may be advantageouslyshaped or formed to provide a gripping advantage to the user or mayinclude preferably vulcanized features that enhance the user's grip. Thegripping sleeve 9 is mounted around the tubular handle 8. In this way,the gripping sleeve 9 provides additional leverage for the user byenhancing the user's grip upon the free strap body 6.

Alternatively, it is also often useful for the present invention tofasten around the user's wrist or ankle. To achieve such an effect, theat least one securing strap 5 further comprises a free fastener 10, asshown in FIG. 6. The free fastener 10 is a connector that secures the atleast one securing strap 5 in position relative to a user's wrist orankle. The free fastener 10 is operatively integrated into the freestrap body 6, wherein the free fastener 10 is used to secure the freestrap body 6 into a looped configuration. This arrangement allows thefree strap body 6 to easily connect to and separate from the user'swrist or ankle. In an exemplary embodiment, the free fastener 10 is ahook-and-loop fastener. In this way, the user may exercise withconfidence that the free strap body 6 is firmly in position upon theuser's wrist or ankle.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chair exercise device comprises: an anchoringstrap; at least one securing strap; at least one resistance band; theanchoring strap comprises a fixed strap body and at least one fixedeyelet; the at least one securing strap comprises a free strap body anda free eyelet; the at least one resistance band comprises a band body, aproximal end, a distal end, a first carabiner, and a second carabiner;the at least one fixed eyelet being laterally connected to the fixedstrap body; the free eyelet being laterally connected to the free strapbody; the proximal end and the distal end being positioned opposite toeach other along the band body; the proximal end being coupled to the atleast one fixed eyelet by the first carabiner; and the distal end beingcoupled to the free eyelet by the second carabiner.
 2. The chairexercise device as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at least oneresistance band being a plurality of resistance bands; and the band bodyof each of the plurality of resistance bands being configured to be acorresponding resistance from an incrementing series of elasticresistances.
 3. The chair exercise device as claimed in claim 2comprises: the band body of each of the plurality of resistance bandsbeing chromatically configured to visually identify each resistance fromthe incrementing series of elastic resistances.
 4. The chair exercisedevice as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at least one resistance bandbeing a plurality of resistance bands; and the band body of each of theplurality of resistance bands being configured to be a single elasticresistance.
 5. The chair exercise device as claimed in claim 1comprises: the at least one fixed eyelet being a plurality of fixedeyelets; and the plurality of fixed eyelets being positioned offset fromeach other.
 6. The chair exercise device as claimed in claim 1comprises: the anchoring strap further comprises a fixed fastener; andthe fixed fastener being operatively integrated into the fixed strapbody, wherein the fixed fastener is used to secure the fixed strap bodyinto a looped configuration.
 7. The chair exercise device as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the fixed fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.
 8. Thechair exercise device as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at least onesecuring strap further comprises a tubular handle; the free strap bodybeing configured into a looped configuration; and the free strap bodytraversing through the tubular handle.
 9. The chair exercise device asclaimed in claim 8 comprises: the at least one securing strap furthercomprises a gripping sleeve; and the gripping sleeve being mountedaround the tubular handle.
 10. The chair exercise device as claimed inclaim 1 comprises: the at least one securing strap further comprises afree fastener; and the free fastener being operatively integrated intothe free strap body, wherein the free fastener is used to secure thefree strap body into a looped configuration.
 11. The chair exercisedevice as claimed in claim 10, wherein the free fastener is ahook-and-loop fastener.
 12. A chair exercise device comprises: ananchoring strap; at least one securing strap; at least one resistanceband; the anchoring strap comprises a fixed strap body, at least onefixed eyelet, and a fixed fastener; the at least one securing strapcomprises a free strap body and a free eyelet; the at least oneresistance band comprises a band body, a proximal end, a distal end, afirst carabiner, and a second carabiner; the at least one fixed eyeletbeing laterally connected to the fixed strap body; the free eyelet beinglaterally connected to the free strap body; the proximal end and thedistal end being positioned opposite to each other along the band body;the proximal end being coupled to the at least one fixed eyelet by thefirst carabiner; the distal end being coupled to the free eyelet by thesecond carabiner; and the fixed fastener being operatively integratedinto the fixed strap body, wherein the fixed fastener is used to securethe fixed strap body into a looped configuration.
 13. The chair exercisedevice as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the at least one resistanceband being a plurality of resistance bands; the band body of each of theplurality of resistance bands being configured to be a correspondingresistance from an incrementing series of elastic resistances; and theband body of each of the plurality of resistance bands beingchromatically configured to visually identify each resistance from theincrementing series of elastic resistances.
 14. The chair exercisedevice as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the at least one resistanceband being a plurality of resistance bands; and the band body of each ofthe plurality of resistance bands being configured to be a singleelastic resistance.
 15. The chair exercise device as claimed in claim 12comprises: the at least one fixed eyelet being a plurality of fixedeyelets; and the plurality of fixed eyelets being positioned offset fromeach other.
 16. The chair exercise device as claimed in claim 12,wherein the fixed fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.
 17. The chairexercise device as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the at least onesecuring strap further comprises a tubular handle; the free strap bodybeing configured into a looped configuration; and the free strap bodytraversing through the tubular handle.
 18. The chair exercise device asclaimed in claim 17 comprises: the at least one securing strap furthercomprises a gripping sleeve; and the gripping sleeve being mountedaround the tubular handle.
 19. The chair exercise device as claimed inclaim 12 comprises: the at least one securing strap further comprises afree fastener; and the free fastener being operatively integrated intothe free strap body, wherein the free fastener is used to secure thefree strap body into a looped configuration.
 20. The chair exercisedevice as claimed in claim 19, wherein the free fastener is ahook-and-loop fastener.